Page 50 of Daddy's Little Farmer

“All right. Call down if you think of anything.”

The four raced up the stairs and down the hall to her bedroom. They threw everything on the bed and started unpacking.

“We brought several different dresses,” Larkin said.

“I’m doing the right thing, aren’t I, you guys?” Mara asked.

“I think so,” Brylee said. “Sometimes our daddies need to be shaken up. It keeps them on their toes.”

Mara giggled. “All right. Let’s try on some of these. They’re all beautiful.” There were all different colors and lengths. It took an hour to try on all the dresses and choose the perfect one.

She chose a shimmery white dress that was a few inches above her knees. It was a bit daring, and it would take some getting used to because she’d never worn a fancy dress before.

“These heels would go with it.” Aleena got on her knees and helped her get the white shoes on. They were only a few inches, but she still needed to get used to them.

“I’ll practice today,” Mara said.

“I had to do that, too,” Brylee giggled.

“Now for your hair,” Aleena said, pulling her into the bathroom. “I’m going to keep it simple but elegant.”

“How are you going to get there without your Daddy knowing?” Larkin asked.

Mara looked down. “Oh, I’m not sure.”

“Brylee and I are going together and will meet our daddies there.”

Mara tried not to let that bother her. Why were they allowed and accepted, but not her? They came from not-great backgrounds. But they were all prettier than her, so that could be why. Maybe with the right makeup and hair, she’d be as pretty, too.

“Let me check on something,” Larkin said and got on the phone.

Mara heard her talking but not the words.

“Stand still,” Aleena said.

Mara looked back at her reflection and watched Aleena do her hair.

“Okay, Daddy said you should ride with us. You’ll just come home with us, get dressed, and my driver will get us to the building.”

“What should I say to my Daddy?” Mara asked.

“My Daddy’s going to ask if we can play together. He’s not telling him where.”

“He’s going to help us?” Mara asked.

“Yes. He hasn’t been pleased with the way Rafael is acting.”

“So, it’s not just me?”

Brylee hugged her. “No. The girls keep asking when you can come to tour the farm, and the men aren’t happy because Rafael keeps saying no.”

Larkin’s phone rang. The three other girls watched her. Mara relaxed when she saw the smile on Larkin’s face when she hung up the phone.

“My Daddy said he liked the idea of you coming with us tonight and that you should just come home with us. He’s going to call Landry for us.”

Mara relaxed. “When can we go?”

“Now. Hicks is outside. That way, we won’t have to worry about wrinkles or getting dirty when we get dressed.”

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